Suction nozzles for vacuum cleaners



Dec. l0, 1957 G. E. LOFGREN 2,815,525

l sUCTIoN NozzLEs FOR VACUUM CLEANERS Filed June 25; 1954 2 sheefs-sheez 1 INVENTOR @ff/7M mi M @ATTORNEY Dec. 10, 1957 G. E. LoFGREN 2,815,525

SUCTION NOZZLES FOR VACUUM CLEANERS Filed June 23, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /MATTO'RNEY suction Nozzrns ron VACUUM CLEANERS Gustaf Einar Lofgren, Riverside, Conn., assignor to Electroiux Corporation, 01d Greenwich, Conn., a corporation of Delaware Application June 23, 1954, Serial No. 438,645

10 Claims. (Cl. 15--417) My invention relates to cleaning tools for use in connection with a vacuum cleaner and more particularly to duplex or dual purpose tools in which two suction nozzles of different types are combined in a single device.

Such an arrangement is not only more economical with respect to first cost, but it is more convenient for the user inasmuch as it reduces the number of tools which must be carried with the cleaner and also it is easier and quicker to change from one type of nozzle to the other of a single tool than it is to change tools. In a tool of this kind it is desirable that the two different nozzles be of types which the operator will normally wish to use for the same general class of cleaning. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to combine in a single tool a dusting brush which is used to clean moldings, lamp shades, the hard surfaces of furniture and the like, with an upholstery nozzle which is "used to clean the soft upholstered portions of furniture as well as drapes and the like.

According to my invention, the dusting brush is formed on one side of the tool and the upholstery nozzle on the other, the suction conduit being inserted into the side of the tool which is opposite from that on which is located the nozzle desired to be used. For reasons which will appear hereinafter, in order that the suction conduit may be received in the upholstery nozzle side of the tool, it is desirable that the end or wing portions of the upholstery nozzle be pivoted with respect to the central portion so that they may lie along side of the conduit. Normally, when this nozzle is being used to clean the usual flat surface, these wings are pivoted to'a position in which they form a straight line with each other and with the central portion. However, if it is desired to clean curved surfaces, the wings may be pivoted to any intermediate position in which they will closely embrace the particular curved surface being cleaned and hence will apply suction thereto in a much more efficient manner than could be done by any straight nozzle.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which form part of this specification, and in which;

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional View of a preferred embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a top view looking in the direction of the arrows 3-3 of Fig. 1, but with the aforementioned wings removed;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional View taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. l, also with the wings removed;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. l with the wings removed and on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 2, but with the wings in a different position;

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6;

nited States Patent Mice Fig. 8 is a front elevational view on a reduced scale of the cleaning tool shown in the preceding figures;

Fig. 9 is a side view of tbe nozzle shown in Fig. 8, partially broken away;

Fig. 10 is an end View of a modified form of my invention;

Fig. l1 is a cross-sectional View taken on the line irl-ll4 of Fig. l0; and

Fig. l2 is a front elevational view of the nozzle shown in Fig. lO when applied to a curved surface.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, reference character 10 designates a hollow member having a suction passageway extending therethrough. This passageway is composed of two portions, 12 and 14, respectively, which are disposed at an angle to each other. Preferably formed integral with the member i0 on one side thereof is a pair of parallel nozzle lips i6. These lips are disposed on opposite sides of the portion ft2 of the passageway and are of greater length than the diameter of the passageway so that the ends of the lips extend therebeyond, as is shown in Fig. 3.

Pivotally mounted between the ends of the lips le is a pair of wings 18 which may be pivoted between a position where they are substantially parallel to each other, as shown in Fig, 2, and a position where they extend away from each other as shown in Figs. 6 and 8. The surfaces of wings 18 which are adjacent to each other when they are in the inoperative position shown in Fig. 2 are provided with recesses 2i) which form channels extending from the outer ends of the wings to communicate with the portion 12 of the passageway in the member 1t). As will be seen in Figs. 6 and E, when the wings 18 are in the position there shown they form together with the ixed lips 16 a suction nozzle of a type which is suitable for cleaning relatively fiat soft surfaces, such as drapes and fabric upholstered portions of furniture.

ln order that drapes and similar flexible material, not securely fastened down, will not be drawn into the end 12 of the passageway, the wings 18 are preferably formed with inwardly extending portions 2?. which, when the wings are in the operative position shown in Fig. 6, extend across the end of the passageway. if desired, these extensions 22 may be continued as ribs 24 disposed longitudinally of the recesses Ztl formed in the wings so as to prevent flexible material from being drawn too far into the channels 20.

Secured to the other side of member 10 and around the end 14 of the passageway is a brush member 26. The material forming this end of the passageway may be flared outwardly, as is shown at Z so as to support the bristles of the brush and to prevent them from being drawn into the passageway. These bristles are preferably mounted in a rigid metal ring 3@ which is received in a recess 32 formed in a skirt portion 34 of member 10. The member 10 itself is preferably molded plastic or the like which, however, is not rigid but has suicient flexibility and elasticity to enable the ring ffii to be forced into the recess 32 and retained therein. The wings 1S, on the other hand, are preferably of rigid metal or plastic formed with pivot pins 36 which are adapted to be received in holes 38 formed in member 1li. Member 10 is suiciently pliable so that the pins 36 may be inserted in the holes 38 by distorting the ends of the lips 16 before the rigid metal ring 30 has been inserted in the recess 32. However, when this ring is inserted it imparts sufcient stiffness and rigidity to the member 10 so that the pins 36 cannot be disengaged from the holes 38.

Both of the ends l2 and 14 of the passageway in the member 10 are of the same diameter and are tapered slightly so as to receive the tapered end 40 of a suction conduit but the end 12 is formed with diametrically opposed recesses 42 of a size to accommodate inwardly extending portions 22 of the wings 18. The bottom of each recess may be provided with a detent 44 adapted to engage a recess 46 formed in the end of each extending portion 22 so as to yieldably retain the wings in their position parallel to each other. If it is desired to use the brush nozzle, the wings are pivoted to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 with the portions 22 received in the recesses 42, whereupon the tapered end 40 may be inserted between the wings and engaged within the portion 12 of the passageway. On the other hand, when it is desired to use the upholstery nozzle, the tapered end 40 may be inserted in the portion 14 of the passageway and the wings 18 pivoted to the position shown in Fig. 6.

If it is desired to use the upholstery nozzle on a curved surface, such as the rounded corner of an upholstered chair or the like, the wings may be pivoted to an intermediate position in which they will closely contact the surface. In this way the open faces of the channels 20 will be maintained close to the surface throughout their entire lengths and the suction induced in these channels will cause air to flow in contact with the surface as it is drawn underneath the edges of the nozzle and into the channels. With a straight rigid nozzle, on the other hand, it is impossible to clean such a curved surface as the nozzle can be tangent to the surface at only one point, and hence the air enters freely and without doing any cleaning at the other points along the nozzle.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. l to l2, inclusive, the lips 16a which are integral with the member 10 are of somewhat greater length than the corresponding lips 16 of the irst embodiment and they are ared outwardly somewhat in the neighborhood of the end of the passageway 12a. The main part of the wings 18a are somewhat shorter than the corresponding parts of the wings 18 and the pivots 36a engage only the extensions 22a. These extensions are formed with projections 48 which extend outwardly from the nozzle when the wings are in the position shown in Fig. 10. Consequently, if the nozzle is applied to a slightly curved surface, the surface adjacent to the center of the nozzle will contact the projections 42a so as to push them inwardly, thus automatically causing the wings to pivot to a position such as that shown in Fig. l2, where they closely embrace and contact the curved surface being cleaned. When it is desired to use the brush nozzle, the wings 18a may be pivoted to a position parallel to each other in the same manner as above described and shown in Figs. 1 and 2 with respect to the rst embodiment. In this position the extensions 22a enter recesses 42a and the tapered end 40 of the suction conduit may be inserted in the passageway 12a.

It will thus be seen that in accordance with my invention I have not only provided a convenient and compact dual purpose cleaning tool, but I have also provided an improved upholstery nozzle having the advantage 'of being able to effectively clean curved surfaces.

While I have shown and described specific embodiments of my invention, this has been done for purposes of illustration only and is not intended to limit the scope of my invention, which is to be determined from the -appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a vacuum cleaner tool, a member having a passageway extending therethrough, an elongated suction nozzle on one side -of said member and communicating with one end of said passageway, said nozzle including a pair of wing portions pivoted to said member closely adjacent to opposite sides of said one end of said passageway, a diierent suction nozzle on the other side of said member communicating with the opposite end of said passageway, both ends of said passageway having the same diameter so that either end may receive a suction conduit, and said end portions being pivotal to anA inl operative position closely adjacent to the sides of said conduit when the latter is received in said one end of the passageway.

2. In a vacuum cleaner tool, a member having a passageway extending therethrough, an elongated suction nozzle on one side of said member and communicating with one end of said passageway, said nozzle including a pair of wing portions pivoted intermediate their ends to said member on opposite sides of said one end of said passageway, the part of each wing portion inwardly of the pivot extending part way across said one end of said passageway when said wing portions are in operative position, a different suction nozzle on the other side of said member communicating with the opposite end of said passageway, both ends of said passageway having the same diameter so that either end may receive a suction conduit, and said wing portions being pivotal to an inoperative position parallel to the sides of said conduit when the latter is received in said one end of the passageway.

3. In a vacuum cleaner tool, a member having a passageway extending therethrough, an elongated suction nozzle on one side of said member and communicating with one end of said passageway, said nozzle including a pair of wing portions pivoted intermediate their ends to said member on opposite sides of said one end of said passageway, each wing portion having a centrally disposed rib which extends inwardly of the pivot and part way across said one end of the passageway when said wing portions are in operative position, a different suction nozzle on the other side of said member communicating with the opposite end of said passageway, both ends of said passageway having the same diameter so that either end may receive a suction conduit, and said wing portions being pivotal to an inoperative position parallel to the sides of said conduit when the latter is received in said one end of the passageway.

4. In a vacuum cleaner tool, a member having a passageway extending therethrough, an elongated suction nozzle on one side of said member and communicating with one end of said passageway, said nozzle including a pair of wing portions pivoted intermediate their ends to said member on opposite sides of said one end of said passageway, each wing portion having a centrally disposed rib which extends inwardly of the pivot and part way across said one end of the passageway when said wing portions are in operative position, a different suction nozzle on the other side of said member communicating with the opposite end of said passageway, both ends of said passageway having the same diameter so that either end may receive a suction conduit, said one end of said passageway being formed with a pair of diametrically opposed recesses extending lengthwise of said passageway, and Said wing portions being pivotal to an inoperative position with the extending ends of said ribs received in said recesses so that said conduit may be received in said one end of said passageway.

5. In a vacuum cleaner tool, a member having a passageway extending therethrough, a pair of arms pivotally mounted on one side of said member and closely adjacent to opposite sides of one end of said passageway, said arms being pivotal between an operative position in which they extend away from each other and an inoperative position in which they extend substantially parallel to each other, the faces of said arms which .are adjacent to each other when the arms are in said inoperative position being grooved so as to provide air-flow channels communicating at their inner ends with said one end of said passageway when said arms are in said operative position to form a suction nozzle, structure on the other side of said member forming a dilerent suction nozzle communicating with the opposite end of said passageway, both ends of said passageway having the same diameter so that either end may receive a suction conduit, said arms being pivotal to said inoperative position and closely adjacent the sides of said conduit when the latter is received in said one end of the passageway.

6. In a vacuum cleaner tool, a member having a passageway extending therethrough, an elongated suction nozzle on one side of said member and communicating with one end of said passageway, said nozzle including a central portion integral with said member and a pair of wingv portions pivoted to opposite ends of said central portion and closely adjacent to the sides of said passageway, a different suction nozzle on the other side of said member communicating with the opposite end of said passageway, both ends of said passageway having the same diameter so that either end may receive a suction conduit, and said end portions being pivoted to an inoperative position closely adjacent to the sides of said conduit when the latter is received in said one end of the passageway.

7. In a vacuum cleaner tool, a member having a passageway extending therethrough, an elongated suction nozzle on one side of said member and communicating with one end of said passageway, said nozzle including a central portion comprising parallel nozzle lips integral with said member and a pair of wing portions pivoted intermediate their ends within opposite ends of said lips, the part of each wing portion inwardly of the pivot extending part way across said end of said passageway midway between said lips when said wing portions are in operative position, a different suction nozzle on the other side of said member communicating with the opposite end of said passageway, both ends of said passageway having the same diameter so that either end may receive a suction conduit, and said wing portions being pivotal to an inoperative position parallel to the sides of said conduit when the latter is received in said one end of the passageway.

8. In a vacuum cleaner tool, a member having a passageway extending therethrough, an elongated suction nozzle on one side of said member and communicating with one end of said passageway, said nozzle including a pair of wing portions pivoted intermediate their ends to said member on opposite sides of said end of said passageway, each wing portion having a centrally disposed rib which extends inwardly of the pivot and part way across said end of the passageway when said wing portions are in operative position, the inner end of each rib being formed with a projection extending outwardly from said nozzle to pivot said wing portions towards conformity with a curved surface when the nozzle is placed on such surface, a different suction nozzle on the other side of said member communicating with the opposite end of said passageway, both ends of said passageway having the same diameter so that either end may receive a suction conduit, and said wing portions being pivotal to an inoperative position parallel to the sides of said conduit when the latter is received in said one end of the passageway.

9. In a vacuum cleaner tool, a member having a passageway extending therethrough, an elongated suction nozzle on one side of said member and communicating with one end of said passageway, said nozzle including a central portion comprising parallel nozzle lips integral with said member on opposite sides of said one end of said passageway and extending therebeyond and a pair of wing portions pivoted intermediate their ends between the extending ends of said lips, each wing portion having a centrally disposed rib which extends inwardly of the pivot and part way across said end of the passageway midway between said lips when said wing portions are in operative position, a different suction nozzle on the other side of said member communicating with the opposite end of said passageway, both ends of said passageway having the same diameter so that either end may receive a suction conduit, said one end of said passageway being formed with a pair of diametrically opposed recesses disposed between said extending ends of said lips, and said wing portions being pivotal to an inoperative position with the inner ends thereof, including the extending ends of said ribs, received in said recesses so that said conduit may be received in said one end of said passageway.

10. A vacuum cleaner tool comprising a hollow member having an opening in one side thereof and a passage therethrough terminating in a suction opening at the opposite side of said hollow member and adapted to receive a tube for connection with a source of suction, a pair of opposed article engaging wings, each pivoted closely adjacent to one side of said suction opening in a manner to conform more closely to surfaces to which the tool is applied, said article engaging wings having air channels communicating directly with said suction opening so that when applied to a surface to be cleaned said wings may pivot to conform to said surface and the latter may be subjected to suction through said air channels, said wings being movable from a lirst position in which they are disposed in a substantially straight line to a position in which the wings are substantially parallel to each other and their respective channels are in confronting relation, said wings being adapted to remain in any position to which they are adjusted.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 750,852 Hart Feb. 2, 1904 1,633,598 McClatchie June 28, 1927 1,869,200 Linton July 26, 1932 2,351,507 Hallock June 13, 1944 2,520,942 Leslie Sept. 5, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 343,519 Germany Nov. 4, 1921 

